Yet another happy ending!

Whew!  Can y’all handle this many happy posts at one time?  If not, I’m sure I can find something not so happy to post about to balance things out. :)

The Wetzel county rescues are officially safe!  The court hearing was today and the judge ordered the owner to forfeit ownership of the six horses and two cows, pay restitution (I’m not optimistic on that one!), and is on probation from owning any more animals (not sure for how long). 

 

 

It’s only been about five weeks since the horses were seized!  I didn’t know our court system could work that fast. 

 

 

As you know, Poco has already gone to her new home.  Shasta left Saturday to be fostered by a friend of mine.  Shasta may have EPM, but when Doc checked her out here a couple of weeks ago, he said the main symptom that he’d noticed back in May was gone (her head tilt).  She still moves funny in the hind end and sometimes stands so crooked it’s amazing she doesn’t fall down.  Since the head tilt is gone, Doc said to just give her time off and see what happens.  She may have just had trauma to her spine that is starting to heal now.

 

Satin and Dallas still need a few more pounds, but they are healthy enough to start ground work.  I have a feeling Satin is broke to ride, but who knows how badly she’s been treated under saddle.

 

The two ponies look awesome and Sapphire has become quite the pocket pony!  She’ll walk up behind perfect strangers and put her head under their arm like a dog, just to get attention.  I wish I knew a small kid that could ride because I’d love to see these two under saddle and adopted to great homes!

 

Bo, Sapphire, and Dallas

These are the other three horses that were seized in Wetzel county.  Bo is a cute little 8yo pony and in the best shape out of all six horses.  He’s also the one that had been kept in the barn because he liked to squeeze through the barbed wire and get out to eat the neighbor’s grass – which probably explains why he’s in the best shape!

 

Sapphire is a 10yo pony and seems to think she’s in charge.  She’s a sweet girl and one of the first in line for attention when I’m out in the pasture.  She’s got some sun burn on her face and I’m putting sunscreen on her to help protect those pink-skinned areas around her muzzle and eyes.  Sky has the same problem with his face, but he rubs the sunscreen off or dips his head in the water tank as soon as I put it on.  Little turd.

 

Brannon did her poor feet yesterday and she was good except for the right hind.  She never tried kicking him, but was very nervous and danced all over the yard with us.  I’m terrible at taking hoof pictures, so you’ll just have to believe when I say her back feet were terrible.  They were very overgrown on the inside, causing her ankles to twist.

 

 

They looked much better after Brannon trimmed them, but it’s going to take some time to straighten those back legs up.

 

Dallas is an 11yo Quarterhorse gelding.  He’s a bit shy and he’d move away every time I pointed the camera in his direction.  The previous owner told me that he hasn’t had his feet trimmed in five years!!! because he rears for the farrier and can’t be done.  His feet aren’t terrible, so I’ll spend some time with him in the round pen before asking Brannon to give it a go.

 

Since Doc vaccinated these guys back in March I put these three in with the main herd yesterday.  I’m feeding the starved mares four times a day right now and it’s easier for them to be by themselves in the quarantine paddock, than it is to have to separate them from the healthier three each time I feed.  Dallas, Sapphire, and Bo should all fatten up nicely with just being grained twice a day with the main herd.

 

In other news, Dahlia has still not foaled.  I hate having foals this late in the year.  Ugh!